"Their goal is simple: to destroy our way of life." Takeshi sighed. "Their network extends across the eight provinces. We believe their members have infiltrated our governments, infiltrated our Affiliates, and infiltrated our media.
"Their influence undermines trade, undermines security and undermines our way of life.
"Their leader, Ajay Johar, remains United Solar's most wanted criminal. We will find him - justice will be done."
The buzz of agreement echoed in the murmurs and whispers around her.
"And so, we make our demands to the Purdah: hand over Ajay Johar - deliver him to the Judiciary. Close your stations, hand in your ships and end this reign of terror - you will be found, and you will be defeated. Our war against the Purdah begins now and will end with its complete destruction."
Akira tried to puzzle out why the Secretary would use the pretence of a memorial ceremony to declare war. It make no sense.
"We are not deceived by their pretences to piety. They talk of injustice, of monopolies, of greed and corporate control; but it is they who are greedy, they who are controlling, it is they who undermine everything we stand for and hold dear.
"Our Union has been put on notice: we are not immune from attack. We will take defensive measures against the Purdah to protect our Union, to protect its Affiliates and to protect our citizens.
"We have set in motion new laws to allow us to protect ourselves in the face of the Purdah. For the first time in over a millennium, we are making it possible for our security forces and our Affiliates to arm themselves against this threat. These measures are essential. But the only way to defeat the Purdah is to stop it, eliminate it, and destroy it by any means necessary.
"My fellow citizens: these are troubling times, but with our resolve, justice will be done. Thank you."
The two thousand in attendance stood to their feet and applauded the Secretary as he stepped down from the stage. A group of Boeki traders turned their backs to the stage in protest - a dangerous move.
"What just happened?" she said, turning to the reporter on her left, but the only response he gave was a grimace.
# # #
Tshilidzi: Examiner's Office, Judiciary, Insularum 1, Lunar
09/06/6,544, 11:55 (IST)
Tshilidzi Dumi winced as the Examiner wheeled out the body of Yao Chin.
Tshilidzi was a tall, stocky man with a shaved head and thick black eyebrows. He wore a creased brown suit and scuffed black shoes that struck a sharp contrast against the clean lines and polished white surfaces of the examination room.
The Examiner halted before Tshilidzi, adjusting a ceiling light to cast no shadows over the corpse. His clothing was clinical and face gaunt and grim.
Circling the body, Tshilidzi recognised the familiar face of the Yao. "This is very odd," he said looking over the torso, leaning down to examine the fist-sized hole in the centre of its chest.
"How so?" asked the Examiner.
"This is Yao Chin, the one killed on L5?"
The Examiner tilted his head. "That's correct Investigator."
"It's just that the wound looks a lot different to the images from the scene."
"We have cleaned the body up since then. You didn't expect her to be shipped down in the state she was in did you?" His tone was sardonic, annoyed.
"That's not what I mean." Tshilidzi scratched his head, then reached into his pocket. He pulled out a hand scanner and shone its red light over the wound. He blinked with confusion.
"Take a look," Tshilidzi said, gesturing. The Examiner stepped around to Tshilidzi's left, taking the scanner from his hand.
The Examiner scanned the wound. "Hmm," he mused. "I've heard rumours." He handed the scanner back to Tshilidzi.
"Rumours about what?" Tshilidzi leaned in to scan the wound again.
"Rumours about the Yao," the Examiner said. "But I never believe such tales, you have to understand."
"Rumours about what?" Tshilidzi repeated as they both stood next to each other, looking down at the corpse.
"I remember being told Yao bodies regenerate and heal at an amazing rate. This would explain the repairs around the edge of the wound. Their medical technology is very advanced. So something like this doesn't actually surprise me."
"Regenerate? How much?" Tshilidzi shuddered at the thought of the corpse coming back to life.
"They're staying dead if that's what concerns you. The brain is dead, but it is strange that the healing has continued post-mortem."
"And this is the cause of death?" Tshilidzi pointed to the wound. "I'm assuming we can be clear on that?"
"Absolutely. My full report will be with you soon." The Examiner paused for a moment, licking his lips. "Do you know who did this?"
"At this moment, I haven't got a clue."
# # #
Chao-xing: The Occulto, Saturn region
12/11/6,541, 07:43 (IST)
Chao-xing woke with a start again. She sat upright in her bunk and stared at the bare walls. Shambling across the room, she poured herself a cup of water. She sipped the drink, then drew in a long breath.
"Are you okay? You cried out," said Armand peering around the door into her quarters.
"Yes--." She paused. "No."
She flopped onto the bed and curled into a foetal position. Armand sat next to her and placed a hand on her hip.
"Another bad dream?"
She nodded. "I can't shake what happened on Titan. It was horrible."
"They tortured you," he said in an even tone. "Do you remember anything more? Any clues as to who it might have been?"
With aching bones and a stiff back, Chao-xing rolled over and leaned up on her elbows, then rested her chin on cupped hands. "I don't know," she said. "It can't have been the Yao. It must have been a group with an interest in gaining information about the Yao."
"Well, that could be anyone," said Armand.
"Yes, but not just anyone." Chao-xing frowned as pain returned to the back of her head. "It has to be a group with the resources to monitor and the inclination to--," She hesitated. "--to do what they did to me - what they were going to--." She shook away the thought.
"What are you thinking?"
"Honestly?" she sighed. "The Purdah come to mind."
Armand snorted. "We had nothing--."
"I realise it's not you, but what about another Purdah group?"
"Perhaps," he said. "I can't see it though. They were too disciplined, and their equipment wasn't something I've seen before."
"Maybe it was United Solar?"
Armand shook his head. "Don't be naive: that's not their style. They'd do everything through the Judiciary - give the appearance of a fair process."
"You're right," she sighed. "What about the Molotok?"
Armand shook his head. "The Molotok is just a rumour."
"Now who's being naive?" She regarded Armand with a crooked smile.
# # #
Hayao: Judiciary holding cells, Insularum 1, Lunar
11/06/6,544, 10:55 (IST)
A pair of guards led Hayao from his cell along a series of corridors to the courtroom. He shuffled with short pained steps, his wrists and ankles shackled. A guard showed him to a seat in a small waiting room.
Unable to lean back on his cuffed wrists, he slumped forward, his head throbbing with exhaustion. He hadn't slept the previous night. Hayao had known tiredness before, but never like this - never so complete. He traced the lines of the grey floor tiles and wondered how long it had been since someone had cleaned them.
He shook himself as he battled to stay awake. Cold sweat seeped from his back and armpits.
"Stay there," said a guard as he stepped out of the room. A second guard, gave a furtive glance then leaned close to Hayao.
"Between us, Mister Vice Secretary, me and the boys thought Ozu had it coming for the stunt he pulled," he said with a confidential tone. "You really swung at him."
"Thank you," said Hayao. "I resigned as Vice Secretary. I'm not sure what I am anym
ore."
"It's not really my place to say, but good luck," the guard said through the brief flicker of a smile.
The first guard returned. "Mister Kurosawa, if you could come this way."
Hayao wobbled to his feet, then staggered through the door and into the courtroom. He squinted at the bright lamps, glowing orbs hung by chains from the ceiling. He glanced past the thick glass barrier between him and the rest of the courtroom to see Natsuki looking down through the window to an observation room to the right of the opposite wall.
A surge of shame flooded through him - so much shame.
The courtroom was packed with rows of wooden benches facing a raised platform to Hayao's left. At least a hundred United Solar Representatives sat in rows along the benches. Hayao could not determine whether they had been summoned as witnesses or were there for the spectacle.
"All rise," a clerk said. She was obscured from Hayao's view behind the raised platform. A large oak door at the left of the far wall creaked open. "Lunar Secretary Takeshi Ozu has requested under article seventeen of the United Solar Charter that he be installed as judge to oversee this case," the clerk said.
Hayao started. Takeshi had the legal right, but in all his years he had not once presided over a court case.
Takeshi strode into the courtroom showing no visible signs of the assault. Takeshi would not meet Hayao's gaze as he sat.
"Be seated," the clerk said.
"Not you," a guard whispered in Hayao's ear.
"Mister Hayao Kurosawa," Takeshi began. "You are before this court to face judgement. You are charged with assaulting the Secretary of Lunar and leader of United Solar. The facts of this case, and therefore your guilt, is not in dispute. Under the United Solar Charter, you will be charged with treason and sentenced to death."
Hayao reeled as the gathered Representatives cried out. He looked up at Natsuki, her head in her hands, being comforted by a stranger.
Takeshi rose and turned to the guards. "Please take Mister Kurosawa back to his cell."
"All rise," said the clerk. The Representative stood in silence, many turning to Hayao with shocked expressions.
A hand grasped Hayao's shoulder. He looked down, allowing himself to be led from the courtroom - defeated, ashamed, broken.
# # #
Kurosawa denies rift in Ozu's Cabinet
Originally published by Lunar Chronicle, 01/03/6,537
Vice Sect Hayao Kurosawa has said there is 'no rift' within the Ozu administration after he voted against a third motion this month backed by the Secretary.
The motion, put forward by Sect Ozu's Proxy, would have seen increased powers given to Muedin - one aspect of which would have criminalised the breastfeeding.
The motion was condemned by Vice Sect Kurosawa who had previously described the measures as "completely abhorrent."
Prior to the vote Rep Inge Tomas (Muedin) told the Assembly that the measures were necessary to "give citizens the best start in life."
She said: "This motion is important because it brings consistency to the lives of all our citizens. The rejection by any parent of high quality Muedin postnatal milk is tantamount to child abuse."
Vice Sect Kurosawa told the Assembly he believed Muedin should "have their powers reduced, not increased."
He said: "I am becoming increasing concerned that some Affiliates in this Assembly are supporting motions that will lead to increased profits for others, seemingly in the hope that this favour is returned."
He added: "Our Secretary is continually acting out of step with the best interests of citizens."
Sect Ozu was unavailable for comment.
The motion was blocked by 26 votes.
# # #
Chapter Four
Meer: Shopping District, V5 Orbiter, Venus
11/06/6,544, 14:56 (IST)
"I hate to prattle on dear, but this whole mess is so utterly ghastly," said Meer Vin Ranghi as she preened herself before a leather goods shop window. Her blue hair was piled high on her head, woven through with threads of gold and strips of coloured leather.
"I wouldn't say Yao Huizhong was a particularly dear friend, but I knew her well enough," she said. "And that whole business with the Boeki is just awful. Imagine being found like that on a cargo dock of all places - and by one of those disgusting traders - it's completely abhorrent."
Meer was slim, tall and wore an elaborately tailored dress layered with colourful silks, twists of rare metals and intricate embroidery that sparkled and shimmered beneath V5's ceaseless blue skies projected above.
"My goodness," said Maggerty Tsuum. "Have you seen the prices of some of these bags?"
Meer snorted. "Well, you know what they say about having to ask about the prices--," Meer looked down at a label. "Oh my, that does seem a little pricey."
"A little? That's a huge mark-up since last week." Maggerty was a stout woman with dyed grey skin and penetrating eyes. She wore a bright green and orange dress stitched with brown leather and fine copper strands.
Meer took Maggerty by the arm and strolled past shops and cafes. "I do worry Maggerty," she said. "It's all so very sad. Did you see the Secretary's speech? It's so very sad."
"So sad," agreed Maggerty. "So incredibly sad."
"It wasn't just Yao Huizhong the Boeki did this to. Or was it the Purdah?" Meer shook her head and shrugged. "We should probably buy some tea. Would you care to join me for some tea, Maggerty, dear?"
"That sounds wonderful."
"Can you imagine your entire family being killed? It's completely unthinkable."
"I wonder what will happen with the Yao's interests," Maggerty mused. "Who's going to oversee the operations without Yao Huizhong - without any Yao?"
"I'm sure it's all in hand. Shall we?" Meer gestured to the door of their regular tea shop, with its window display of miniature teapots and intricately decorated cups arranged along the bottom of its window.
Maggerty held the door open as Meer entered.
"Ladies, ladies," the tea shop owner Dilly La'la said, his arms wide and smile welcoming. "Oh, you are looking as radiant as ever Madam Ranghi. Won't you look at that dress: you are a delight to behold," he said. "I'll take you to your usual seats."
Meer stood behind a white plush chair looking out onto the boulevard. Hints of cinnamon, lemon and peppermint drifted from the selection of tea leaves on display to the rear of the shop. The familiar background noise of low conversations and clinking teacups was absent. They were the only patrons.
Dilly pulled a chair out for Meer while Maggerty perused the menu.
"Oh my," Maggerty said with a hushed voice. "Are these prices correct?"
"Oh Maggerty, dear, please." Meer huffed, throwing a hand to her forehead with a dramatic gesture. "Mister La'la, I am so sorry about my friend. I don't know where her manners are today."
Dilly bowed his head. "The Madam is all too perceptive, I'm afraid," he said, wringing his wrists.
"But it is so uncouth to talk about--." Meer stopped as Maggerty pushed the menu beneath her nose, pointing out their usual blend. "Oh my goodness," she gasped. "This is--. This is, extortionate."
"My dears, my dears," Dilly pleaded. "As soon as the news came out about the Yao, the prices for everything shot up. Fuel shortages affect everything. It is out of all of our hands, and it will only get worse."
"We'll just see about that," scoffed Meer.
# # #
Janis: Capsule Line Platform, Titan Orbiter, Saturn
11/06/6,544, 01:03 (IST)
Janis stood with her arms outstretched and hair tied back as Mataes made the final adjustments to her vacuum suit. She winced as it squeezed around her thighs and forearms. The capsule platform was round with a concrete floor. Steel beams lined the walls and blue light tubes swooped up to a tunnel entrance ten metres above Janis's head.
Air ducts hissed and wheezed as the station creaked with low syncopated echoes. Without the workers boarding and alighting from transport capsules, it was far too
quiet. She leaned over the edge of the platform, expecting to see the top of a line of spherical capsules, but the hole was empty. Janis shuddered.
"I'm scared," she said as she stepped back from the lip of the platform edge.
"You'll be great," said Mataes. "The suit's just adjusting to you. And if it's any consolation, you do look ridiculous," he said, grinning.
Janis laughed and struck him with a playful punch to his arm. She leaned forward and kissed him on the lips.
"Well, look at you two," a voice said from behind.
Janis released Mataes as Arfo strode across the boarding platform toward them.
Mataes's face flushed as he fumbled to fit Janis's oxygen backup. "Good luck," he whispered.
"Make sure your communicator's off - we don't want the higher-ups to listen in on any of this," said Arfo. "Are you happy with the plan? Do you remember what to do?"
Janis gave a slight nod as a small bead of sweat collected on her forehead and dripped to the floor.
"Just keep going straight up the capsule line and you'll be fine," Arfo said. "Try to accelerate to the point in the centre when you feel the gravity dip. When it flips you want to decelerate. If you keep at a constant acceleration, the gravity will give you a big speed boost, and you might lose control."
Janis blinked. "Decelerate?"
"Slow down," Arfo said. He glanced up at the tunnel, then leaned over the edge of the platform. "Please be careful," he said.
"I will," Janis said.
"Just remember when you get to the middle, what you thought was up will become down. Try not to get disorientated." Arfo brushed aside his hair and examined Janis's suit.
Janis smiled as Mataes lifted the helmet over her head. She looked back into his eyes. "I'll see you on the other side," he said, "I'm so proud of you for doing this."
As the Gravity Flipped Page 5